Every possible step being adopted to end energy crisis, says Shahbaz

LAHORE- Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said all energy projects in Punjab would be completed expeditiously as the government strongly desires to get rid of the scourge of loadshedding at the earliest which has made every part of the national life miserable. He said transforming the government resolve into action, every possible means is being adopted to end the energy crisis and in that course, foreign and local investors are being given incentives apart from an ideal atmosphere and protection of their money. The government is adopting every measure to secure expeditious completion of the energy projects. He was talking to representative delegation of international companies associated with energy sector, here on Thursday. Matters regarding cooperation in energy sector especially solar power projects were discussed in the meeting. The Chief Minister said that there are vast opportunities of investment in energy sector in Punjab and all out facilities are being provided to the investors under one roof. He said that Punjab government is working on solar, hydel, bagasse, wind, biogas, biomass and coal-based power projects which are being implemented expeditiously. He said that Punjab government is setting up Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park over a vast area in Bahawalpur and establishing a 100 megawatt coal-based power plant in the park. He said that the work of provision of infrastructure at Quaid-e-Azam Solar Park is being carried out speedily. Separately presiding over a high level meeting Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said that the modern metro bus system on the pattern of Lahore would soon be started in Rawalpindi. Shahbaz Sharif said that Punjab government has introduced a new transport culture in the provincial metropolis through metro bus system. He said that metro bus project has been welcomed by the masses as well as appreciated at international level. He said that more than 0.16 million passengers are traveling by metro buses daily and in view of the growing popularity of metro bus project, its scope is further being expanded. He said that foundation stone of metro bus project in Rawalpindi will soon be laid and this project will also be unique with regard to its architectural design and transparency. The CM said that more than 1.5 lakh people will benefit from Rawalpindi-Islamabad metro bus service daily. The track of Rawalpindi-Islamabad metro bus service will consist of 20.5 km and 8.5 km long bridge will be constructed on the track while 24 bus stations will be constructed.On another occasion, Assembly members of different districts met Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif here on Thursday and apprised him of the developmental problems of their respective areas. Talking to them, the Chief Minister said that the culture of good governance, merit, austerity and transparency has been promoted in the province and every penny of public resources is being spent on the welfare of the masses in a highly transparent manner. He said that PML-N government is striving for elimination of corruption, ignorance, poverty, unemployment and resolving energy crisis and its efforts will bear fruit and the nation will get rid of such problems. He said that the process of development started in the last tenure is continuing successfully and Punjab will be made a model province. He said that masses are benefiting from the ongoing welfare programmes launched in the province at a cost of billions of rupees. He said that a modern price control mechanism was implemented for the provision of essential items to the citizens at reasonable rates due to which the prices of daily use commodities stabilised in the province. He said that implementation of price control mechanism on permanent basis will be ensured.